Scientists have long tried to repurpose cells in order to potentially treat various types of conditions. This process, called reprogramming, involves changing one type of cell into another, such as a blood cell into a muscle cell or nerve cell. Although the technique has been around for decades, it has only been effective 1% of … Continue reading Scientists at USC untangle the mysteries of cellular reprogramming- a method that could be used to treat diseases

At 18 years old, there are several life-changing moments that young people look forward to. For some, it involves graduating from high school, starting college, and being able to cast a vote in an election. For others, this momentous occasion symbolizes the official start of adulthood. For James O’ Brien, this milestone was marked by … Continue reading Stem cell treatment restores man’s sight in right eye after 25 years

For years CIRM and others in the stem cell community (hello Paul Knoepfler) have been warning people about the dangers of going to clinics offering unproven and unapproved stem cell therapies. Recently the drum beat of people and organizations coming out in support of that stand has grown louder and louder. Mainstream media – TV … Continue reading When Google turns on you, you know you are in trouble

It’s always gratifying to see research you have helped support go from being an intriguing idea to something with promise to a product that is now the focus of a company. It’s all the more gratifying if the product in question might one day help millions of people battling diabetes. That’s the case with a … Continue reading Moving a great idea targeting diabetes out of the lab and into a company

“By changing policy, we can change lives” A powerful opening statement by Angela Ramirez Holmes, Founder & President of the California Action Link for Rare Diseases (CAL RARE). Tuesday of last week, patient advocates, patient advocacy organizations, and members of the public filled a room at the California Capitol for an informational hearing on research … Continue reading Rare disease meeting at California Capitol stresses importance of advocacy, funding, and new research

For several years, researchers have been able to take stem cells and use them to make three dimensional structures called organoids. These are a kind of mini organ that scientists can then use to study what happens in the real thing. For example, creating kidney organoids to see how kidney disease develops in patients. Scientists … Continue reading “Brains” in a dish that can create electrical impulses

When Californians voted for Proposition 71 in 2004, they were investing in hope… the hope that unraveling the mysteries of stem cells could lead to new types of treatments and perhaps one day, even cures for some of the most devastating illnesses and injuries known to mankind. Making this hope a reality, however, requires much … Continue reading Bridges to the Future: 10 Years and Counting!

California has the largest aging population in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that one in five Californians will be 65 or older by the year 2030. Unfortunately with age comes a wide of health related issues that can arise such as Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is caused by changes in the brain that … Continue reading CIRM board member Lauren Miller Rogen appointed to California Alzheimer’s Task Force

All this week we have been highlighting blogs from our SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative medicine Knowledge) students. SPARK gives high school students a chance to spend their summer working in a world class stem cell research facility here in California. In return they write about their experiences and what they learned. The standard … Continue reading A future scientist’s journey